WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.299 There, and we'll leave the reading there acknowledging that God's timing is perfect in God's providence. 00:00:06.299 --> 00:00:11.740 This is our passage from 2 Kings, and it's a great story for Mission Month. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:12.900 ! What have we got here? 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:17.920 We've got the Lord working behind the scenes to bring a young girl to a foreign country, 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:22.400 to Naaman's house, to do the work of cross-cultural mission. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:28.339 That love for her God and love for Naaman, who she could easily have treated as an enemy, 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:31.500 leads to Naaman discovering God's power and saving love. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:34.859 Again, some more great timing. 00:00:35.019 --> 00:00:42.939 This week, a report came through from Edinburgh UniCU about an international cafe that meets here every Thursday. 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:49.100 And the email report was full of great excitement because since term has begun, 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:54.879 there have been so many people having the chance to hear about Jesus for the very first time in this place. 00:00:54.880 --> 00:00:59.140 There are folks who in September knew nothing about Jesus, 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:03.780 who are now visiting churches all around our city with their friends, 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:09.140 and God is answering prayers, and cross-cultural mission is happening. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:15.099 And I hope that as we listen to the stories, we're drawn into the story, 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:22.659 that we would recognize that God is in the business of doing this kind of thing. 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:27.519 That God places us in specific places for specific purposes. 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:37.219 He's placed us in our houses, in our communities, in our circles for the sake of His kingdom. 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:42.159 And imagine if we thought of our lives in that way. 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:47.959 God has placed me here for the sake of His glory and mission. 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:54.439 Imagine if we lived everyday life with eternal purpose. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:55.439 God has placed us in our lives in our lives. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:57.019 The story can help us. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:01:58.759 So, let's get into the story. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:05.480 Let's think, first of all, first three verses where we get to meet God's missionary. 00:02:05.700 --> 00:02:13.460 But before we get to meet the missionary, notice how the author of 2 Kings places two portraits side by side. 00:02:14.180 --> 00:02:18.599 Here is Naaman and this unnamed servant girl. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:23.680 They're living in the same house, but they're operating in two different worlds entirely. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:27.319 If you watch Downton, it's like the upstairs-downstairs thing, isn't it? 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:36.460 But God in His providence brings them together so that Naaman might discover God and His grace. 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:39.460 So, in verse 1, we meet Naaman, the guy who has it all. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:40.379 He's a great man. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:41.460 He's highly regarded. 00:02:41.580 --> 00:02:42.540 He's been given victories. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:44.360 Notice victories by the Lord. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:46.319 Valiant soldier. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:49.500 Power, greatness, honor, status, success, wealth. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:54.020 But one day, he spots the spot. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:56.879 He spots that he has leprosy. 00:02:57.939 --> 00:03:00.120 He spots the sentence of death. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:11.620 And then we're introduced in verse 2 to this young girl taken captive at a young age by Aramean raiders. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:12.740 She has nothing. 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:14.500 She's been stolen from her home. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:15.460 She has no freedom. 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:16.939 She has no family. 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:19.099 She has no status. 00:03:21.979 --> 00:03:25.840 And she hears Naaman's news. 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:32.400 And surely she is someone who has every reason to hate Naaman. 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:40.199 After all, he is the victorious army officer who has led these raiding bands that has led to her becoming effectively a prisoner of war. 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:45.780 She has every reason to celebrate his downfall. 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:49.839 But instead, she chooses to love. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:53.299 She longs for his healing. 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:56.819 And she knows where that healing is to be found. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:03.419 She is a girl of strong, humble faith in the God that she worships. 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:04.959 And so she goes to her mistress. 00:04:04.959 --> 00:04:11.379 If only my master would see the prophet, he would cure him of his leprosy. 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:17.519 What do we learn about this girl as the unlikely missionary? 00:04:17.659 --> 00:04:22.019 And what do we learn about God's mission even at this stage? 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:31.199 I think one thing we're reminded of is that God delights to use unimportant people to accomplish his purposes. 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:34.240 It's a scripture principle. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:36.839 1 Corinthians 1, 27. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:41.439 God shows the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:46.079 God shows the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:49.120 God does it so that he gets the glory. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:05:00.019 And so you and I, we should never downplay the significance of ordinary, faithful, humble witness and service for Christ. 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:13.340 Whether we think about the relatively ordinary thing of opening this church to let international people come in to share some food and to share some language learning and friendship. 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:23.239 Whether we're thinking about our own day-to-day of seeking the best for others, of using the gifts and talents that God has given us. 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:31.279 Or whether we're thinking about our sometimes faltering attempts to give testimony to Jesus Christ and what he has done. 00:05:31.719 --> 00:05:37.259 We should never downplay that because God for his glory delights to use it and to use people like us. 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:45.159 So we should never say, this kind of chimes in with what Moji was saying, we can never say, and we should never say, God couldn't use me. 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:56.079 For our children, for our teenagers, we should never say, God couldn't use me, wouldn't use me, because after all, God used this girl. 00:05:56.079 --> 00:06:03.319 Are there people in your school that you could invite, that you could invite, that you could talk to about Jesus? 00:06:05.359 --> 00:06:20.219 If you're here tonight and you're away from your home, from your home culture, this story, Moji's story, also reminds us that there is no barrier to God using you and your friendship and your witness. 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:28.560 we look around the city that we live in and maybe we find ourselves thinking the people around here 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:34.060 seem really far from God and they seem really disinterested in worship him worshiping him 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:43.180 think about Naaman and the nation of Aram and we are reminded that there are no limits to how God 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:50.699 works this story also reminds us of another biblical principle that God wants his grace and 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:57.439 his salvation to spread far and wide in God's providence even through the hard providence 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:06.259 of being taken captive by some raiders God was working so that his glory and salvation would be 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:14.779 experienced by Naaman God is still moving people all over the world and as he does so he is creating 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:22.659 opportunities for mission I think it's one of the wonderful things about living in Edinburgh and for 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:30.779 our church to be where it is we don't need to leave home to go on mission as we look around we see the 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:34.959 number of different cafes and restaurants from different places and we recognize people from 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:40.620 different cultures and and countries as we understand that there are loads of people 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:48.459 living here in countries that if they were back home they would really struggle to to have access 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:55.039 to the church or to the gospel but when they're here there's opportunity and freedom think about our 00:07:55.039 --> 00:08:01.519 connect ministry that meets every Monday another opportunity to welcome and to share Jesus with people 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:11.159 from different places because God wants his grace to spread far and wide or maybe we just reflect on the 00:08:11.159 --> 00:08:18.939 fact that there are many people in our lives with stories somewhat akin to Naaman in a crisis of some 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:29.979 kind or another and to understand that God would want to use us to be a light in their lives 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:42.680 to bring something of Jesus and the hope of salvation to them and so we pray and we act for God's spreading 00:08:42.680 --> 00:08:49.120 glory and goodness seeking that boldness and love of the apostles so others can meet Jesus 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:57.600 and we recognize and here's another principle that we find in the Bible God's love is a love powerful 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:04.980 to break down barrier you know how do we explain the fact that this girl who's experienced so much trauma 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:11.740 and so much loss in her life and Naaman is the primary cause how do we explain the fact that she is 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:21.899 willing to show love and kindness and seek his best the only answer is because she knows the God of love 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:30.480 the answer to the barriers, to the hate, to the division, is the message of the gospel. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:40.959 It's to recognize that while we were God's enemies, God chose to love us and send Jesus to die for us. 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:50.460 That in Christ coming to pay the penalty for our sin, for dealing with that problem, 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:58.440 the dividing walls of hostility come down between us and God, but then between us and others. 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:04.240 And because God's love in the gospel is powerful enough to break down barriers, 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:11.120 as God's people, as a church, we don't need to follow the fear and suspicion that we all 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:19.580 often hear in the news about the people who are not like us, who are coming to our country. 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:24.860 But by God's grace, we have the opportunity to be good neighbors, to show love and welcome. 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:31.660 God loves for His church to show love across difference, and our communities need that. 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:33.680 They need a different voice in a different way. 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.480 So we meet God's missionary. 00:10:37.540 --> 00:10:41.240 But secondly, we also hear God's message of grace. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:48.180 The central part of the Naaman story is really Naaman being invited to discover this. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:52.899 So Naaman speaks a particular language, the language of power and achievement and influence, 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:57.759 but he needs to learn that God speaks another language, the language of grace. 00:10:58.419 --> 00:11:00.460 What is God's grace? 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:03.700 God's grace is His loving kindness towards sinners. 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:09.800 God's grace is Him showing us a love that we don't earn, that we don't deserve, that we don't pay for. 00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:16.180 A gift that is free to us, but a gift that comes at infinite cost to God, 00:11:16.640 --> 00:11:21.440 as His own Son bears the penalty and bears the wrath in our place. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:27.720 It's a gift of God's love that forgives our sin, that deals with the problem of evil and death, 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:30.440 that brings us home to our God. 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:32.060 That's God's grace. 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:36.860 And Naaman's story then shows us something about ourselves, I think, 00:11:36.900 --> 00:11:39.420 that naturally we do not speak the language of grace, 00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:43.480 that we usually operate with a different set of vocabulary. 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:48.900 You know, we live in a world where the vocabulary is very much prove yourself, 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:52.100 or you're worth it. 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:59.720 That requirement to achieve and to perform. 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:05.340 Naaman takes that into the encounter with the prophet. 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:09.960 He wants healing, he wants salvation, but how will he find it? 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.800 The story's really instructive. 00:12:12.560 --> 00:12:16.120 He won't find it through his money. 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:19.120 Did you notice the grand entrances of Naaman? 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:23.060 In verse 4 to 6, we find the first one. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:29.460 He gets this letter from his king, and he heads off with his great retinue, 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:31.399 and he's there with his chariots and such things. 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:35.399 He arrives at the king of Israel's palace, because he imagines, of course, 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:41.700 a prophet is going to be connected to the palace, power is connected to the palace, 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:42.780 so he thinks. 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:51.180 And so he arrives with this huge gift, looking to earn favor so that he can get the healing he wants. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:55.720 I like doing the math, or I like when Google does the maths that you get in the Bible. 00:12:55.840 --> 00:13:00.080 So we hear 10 talents of silver, and we say, I don't know what that means. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:04.540 That's 398,000 pounds worth of silver in our money. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:16.659 6,000 shekels of gold, 6.7 million pounds on top of those 10 kind of off-the-designer reign suits. 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:20.919 This is a big gift, because for Naaman, money talks. 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:26.599 Except it doesn't when it comes to God's salvation. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:30.240 We meet a king who is terrified. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:35.419 He gets this visitor with all his power and wealth, 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:37.940 but he knows he is powerless. 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.840 Am I God? 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:42.840 Can I kill and bring back to life? 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:48.340 We know that there is a true God, and he will bring back to life, 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:50.379 and we're going to see it, but it's not through money. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:54.419 And so Elisha is going to help Naaman to understand that as well. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:58.159 God's grace, God's salvation is not something that's bought and sold. 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:03.120 Verse 16, when Naaman comes back healthy and whole, he wants to give a gift, 00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:04.279 and Elisha says, no. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:07.480 He wants Naaman to be absolutely clear. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:11.659 Our status, our wealth make no difference in God's eyes. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:15.199 All of us must come with empty hands, 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:21.399 confessing our spiritual poverty to the Lord Jesus, to the one who paid it all. 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:26.059 So to receive healing and salvation is not about money, 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:28.599 nor is it about our wisdom. 00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:31.919 If you look at verses 8 to 12, it's really interesting. 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:34.779 You've got a king who's been tearing his robes, and he's terrified. 00:14:34.979 --> 00:14:37.139 He thinks Adam wants to make war. 00:14:38.119 --> 00:14:39.779 And then Elisha comes on the scene. 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:44.299 Make the man come to me, and he'll know there's a prophet in Israel. 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:47.259 I will show him the true God of power and grace. 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:51.240 So Naaman gets on his horse or gets in his chariot, 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:53.860 and then he heads to Elisha's house. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.259 And there's another great scene. 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.799 There's the great entourage. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.840 But what happens? 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:02.740 Elisha doesn't even come out the front door. 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:06.500 Rather, he sends another servant 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:09.980 with a very simple message to Naaman, 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:12.360 go have a bath. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:17.539 Very simple message with a very clear promise. 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:21.740 Go wash yourself, and your flesh will be restored, 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.820 and you will be cleansed. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.059 Great news. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.440 He's got the answer he's looking for. 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:29.440 But for Naaman, he is outraged. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.320 Why is he outraged? 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:35.240 Because this does not meet with his expectations. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.420 What did he want? 00:15:37.540 --> 00:15:38.340 Verse 11. 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:40.379 I thought he would come out and stand 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.720 and call the name of the Lord, 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:44.280 wave his hand and cure me of leprosy. 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.840 He wants a display of power. 00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:49.260 He wants Elisha to work some kind of magic. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:52.600 And he definitely does not want to wash 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:54.300 in a tiny Judean river. 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:57.720 Again, it's the message of 1 Corinthians. 00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.480 God's wisdom. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:02.240 For Naaman, God's wisdom would save him, 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:04.800 but God's wisdom right now looks like folly. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:09.159 That's so often how God's wisdom is heard. 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:12.500 Saved by a crucified Savior. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:16.580 That one moment in history, 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:20.279 that one man dying in apparent shame and defeat, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:24.360 he is the source of my eternal destiny. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.860 Seems like folly. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:31.659 Till we understand the wisdom of God by his grace. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.659 Naaman, like us, must discover 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:37.580 that we need to exercise faith to be saved. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:40.019 We cannot come with our own logic and wisdom. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.899 We need to be washed also. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:46.200 Washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:49.379 So healing and salvation doesn't come by his wealth. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.580 It doesn't come by his wisdom, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:54.639 nor does it come by his or our effort. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.539 However, verse 13, 00:16:57.620 --> 00:17:00.259 we realize that Naaman, at the end of verse 12, 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.539 is storming off in a huff. 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:05.420 And Naaman's servants know him, 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:07.779 and they know his problem. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:10.220 And the problem is his pride. 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:13.139 And so effectively, they say to him, 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:16.660 Master, if you were asked to do a heroic act, 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:21.360 or some display of a great personal achievement, 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:24.520 or even some kind of painful self-sacrifice, 00:17:25.320 --> 00:17:26.780 you'd be all over it. 00:17:26.800 --> 00:17:27.920 You'd be there in a heartbeat. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:32.500 But when you're asked to do the humble thing, 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.340 you won't do it. 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:35.400 Why not go wash? 00:17:36.040 --> 00:17:37.400 Why not do the easy, humble thing? 00:17:38.800 --> 00:17:41.720 Naaman needs to discover that God is no respecter of persons. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:45.019 That everybody must come into the kingdom 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:47.019 through the low door of humility, 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:50.100 by way of repentance. 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.839 And when he does, 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.480 when he turns, 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.839 when he dips himself, 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:58.779 what happens? 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:02.079 His flesh was restored and became clean, 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.160 like that of a young boy. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.759 He's healed, and he gets his life back. 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:10.759 And the story of Naaman reminds us 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.859 that the message of God's grace 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:17.839 is always a message that is profoundly humbling. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:20.720 And that really challenged Naaman's pride, 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:22.220 and it challenges ours as well. 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:25.119 When we think in spiritual terms, 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:27.400 the Bible is saying that our sin problem 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:29.119 is deadly serious. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:31.579 That by nature, 00:18:31.699 --> 00:18:33.219 we're not positive towards God. 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:35.019 We're not even neutral towards God. 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:35.599 By nature, 00:18:35.699 --> 00:18:37.179 we are rebels against God. 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:39.959 We are enemies 00:18:39.959 --> 00:18:42.099 who turn our back on Him, 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:43.739 who disobey Him 00:18:43.739 --> 00:18:45.059 at every turn, 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.659 and we are by nature 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:49.039 dead in our sin. 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:52.079 And more than that, 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:54.719 we can't do anything about it. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:58.360 That we are way worse than we imagine, 00:18:58.839 --> 00:19:00.759 and we are way more helpless 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.900 than we like to admit. 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.360 That's humbling. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:11.079 But so too is God's gracious response. 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:15.799 Recognizing that we are utterly powerless 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.579 and helpless, 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:19.420 Jesus came to become one of us. 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.420 Jesus gave His life, 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.960 paid the ultimate price, 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:25.600 so that we might be freely forgiven. 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.740 That we might be made clean. 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:30.140 That we might be brought into God's kingdom. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:34.000 And we don't bring anything to the table. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:37.120 And we don't do anything to earn it. 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:40.400 All we do is we believe. 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.440 And so we discover 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:46.440 that what is impossible to us 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:48.759 is not impossible to God through Jesus. 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:53.200 And as Christians, 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:55.079 this is the message that we believe. 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:58.000 This is our hope. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:00.420 This is our joy. 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:04.259 This is our eternal promise and future. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.359 And more than that, 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.440 this is the message 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:10.980 we humbly, lovingly, boldly 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:12.279 seek to share 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:15.259 as we understand how urgent it is. 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:19.440 So we hear God's message of grace. 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:19.900 Finally, 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:22.579 let's think about how we see 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:24.259 God's mission accomplished. 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:26.740 Verse 15 to 19. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:29.400 The Naaman that we meet now, 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:31.319 we've seen kind of Naaman in three scenes. 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.819 His leprosy stage, 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:35.980 his struggling to accept God's way. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.359 And this time, 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.220 we meet a very different man. 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.960 Naaman and all his attendants 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:43.160 went back to the man of God. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.240 He stood before him and said, 00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:45.279 now I know 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:47.040 that there is no God 00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:47.759 in all the world 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.680 except in Israel. 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:51.460 He's humbled himself 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:53.480 and he's been healed. 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.920 He arrived, 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.340 a warrior, 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:01.120 but a warrior who is dying 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:03.279 and he leaves 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.720 as a worshiper 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:06.779 who's truly living. 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:10.040 And we hear his worship. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:12.119 Now he knows 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.519 that there is only one 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:15.440 true and living God. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.659 And this is radical. 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:18.339 This is what set apart Israel 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.500 from all the other nations. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.259 All the other nations 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:23.200 were happy with multiple gods. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:25.539 But now Naaman understands 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:28.700 God isn't just one among many. 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:31.359 Jesus isn't an adidext, 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:33.700 a one among many possible options. 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.580 He understands 00:21:35.580 --> 00:21:36.799 and he practices 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.559 this exclusive worship 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.380 of God, 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.360 his Redeemer. 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:44.039 And then we get to his witness. 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.240 It's a really interesting 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.180 bit of the story. 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.319 Verse 17, 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:52.980 after Elisha refuses the gift, 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:53.440 he says, 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:54.360 please let me, 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:54.920 your servant, 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:56.240 be given as much earth 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:58.460 as a pair of mules 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.380 can carry. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.120 And so you might wonder, 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:02.820 why is it that Naaman, 00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:05.180 this great mighty commander 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.380 who's come with all his gold 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:06.860 and silver, 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.140 why is it he wants to 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:11.400 load his mules up 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.100 with some mud? 00:22:13.560 --> 00:22:14.620 And it's because he wants 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.520 this physical, 00:22:16.020 --> 00:22:16.900 visible reminder. 00:22:17.040 --> 00:22:17.740 He wants to be able 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.980 to build a mound 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.980 to remind him, 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.780 it was the God of Israel 00:22:21.780 --> 00:22:22.660 who saved me. 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:24.060 And the God of Israel 00:22:24.060 --> 00:22:24.800 is the God 00:22:24.800 --> 00:22:26.320 who deserves worship. 00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:28.060 It's going to help him 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:29.440 to show his loyalty. 00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:30.679 It's going to keep 00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:32.539 redirecting his worship 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.200 to the true and living God. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.440 Because we're introduced 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.059 to the fact 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.519 that he's going back 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.879 to a situation 00:22:39.879 --> 00:22:40.399 where it's going to be 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:42.480 difficult to live for God. 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.720 Verse 18, 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.720 may the Lord forgive 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.179 your servant 00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:47.119 for this one thing. 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:49.259 When my master enters 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.000 the temple of Rimen 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.720 to bow down 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.859 and he's leaning on my arm 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:53.179 and I have to bow there also, 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.220 when I bow down, 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.839 may the Lord forgive 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.579 your servant. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.539 So he's sent back 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:01.179 to his old job, 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.700 his old sphere of influence. 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:06.220 So he's still serving the king 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.119 and the king is still 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.700 going to go 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.940 to the pagan temple 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:10.200 and Naaman is going 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:11.440 to have to go there. 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.359 But now he's going 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.179 to go and bow 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.079 to the real 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.679 and the living God. 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:18.019 But he seeks mercy 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:20.159 and forgiveness 00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:22.720 and help, I think, 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.500 to know how to live for God 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.399 in that kind of 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:26.200 pagan environment. 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:27.220 And Alicia says to him, 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:29.059 go in peace. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.779 And so he's sent home 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.519 a worshiper. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.819 I like to think of him 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:37.740 heading back to his home 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:40.039 and finding that little 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.860 servant girl 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:43.480 and of telling his story 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:45.720 and of them worshipping 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.640 God together 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:49.299 as God's cross-cultural 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.259 mission is accomplished. 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:53.460 As we close, 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.440 just a few lessons 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.700 to learn together 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.819 to remind ourselves. 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.900 One, that God wants 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:59.119 his glory to spread. 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.119 You know, the image 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.640 that we find 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.440 throughout the Bible 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.879 of God's people 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:05.240 as a light to the nations, 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.319 as a light to the world, 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:07.200 that kind of centers 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.759 on Jesus, 00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.940 but then he expands it 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.220 to include the church. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:13.559 As Christians, 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:15.360 why do we support mission? 00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:17.960 Why do we go on mission? 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:21.180 John Piper has a great answer. 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.039 Mission exists 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.440 because worship doesn't. 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:26.220 There is a day coming 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.180 in the new creation 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.079 when God's glory 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.019 will fill the earth, 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.000 when all God's people 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.319 will worship perfectly 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.819 in spirit and in truth. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:36.279 But until that day, 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.920 as a church, 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.720 as a Christian, 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:40.660 we have a marching order 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.319 from Jesus, 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.160 our commander, 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:44.539 to live and speak 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:47.339 to make his glory known 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.220 because God wants 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.319 his glory to spread. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.100 And a second principle, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.120 and we see this with Jesus 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:55.279 and his disciples as well, 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:56.299 God draws us in 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.220 to send us out. 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.880 I think it's really striking. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.160 You know, 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:02.000 Elisha doesn't say to Naaman, 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:02.440 do you know what? 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.640 You need to stick here. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.339 You need to stick here 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:07.059 among the people of God. 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.139 God, 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:09.279 but rather he sends him 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.139 home in peace. 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.079 Same place, 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.159 same job, 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.480 but different heart. 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.919 It's a great prayer 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:20.139 when we think about 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.079 cross-cultural mission, 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.859 when we think about 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:23.220 the students who come 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.799 to the International Cafe, 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.619 as we think about 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.759 the thousands of people 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:29.039 who come year upon year 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.799 to our city 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:31.339 for a certain length of time, 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:34.699 that people would come 00:25:34.699 --> 00:25:35.359 to the city 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.939 and find Jesus 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:39.480 and would be sent back home 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:41.119 to live for him. 00:25:44.439 --> 00:25:45.459 That you and I, 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:47.720 we would be drawn in 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.179 by God's grace 00:25:49.179 --> 00:25:50.539 to trust in Jesus. 00:25:50.679 --> 00:25:52.240 We'd be drawn in 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.720 to worship each week 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:55.299 in our churches. 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:57.119 We'd be drawn deeper 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:59.179 into relationship with him 00:25:59.179 --> 00:26:00.259 so that we'd be sent out 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.839 from here, 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:03.700 into our places of learning, 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.980 into our places 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.879 where we work, 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:07.220 into our roles 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.240 and relationships, 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.279 which sometimes 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.980 are very local, 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.980 sometimes will take us 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.019 to the ends of the earth. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.660 But that we would go 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.779 as those who've experienced 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.779 God's grace 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.059 that heals 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.359 and that saves, 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.599 as those who know 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.920 the only God, 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.879 the only name 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.259 that saves, 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:26.680 that we would live 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.820 to worship him. 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:32.360 This story 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:35.140 ends very dramatically, 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.759 but it all started 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:38.779 with that one little girl 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:40.460 who loved God 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.799 and was willing 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.740 to love her neighbor, 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.340 who spoke 00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:45.580 a very simple message 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:46.120 of hope 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:47.200 and trust 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:49.080 and an invitation 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.900 to good news. 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:53.580 But it also started 00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:54.680 with a God of grace 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:56.780 who would organize 00:26:56.780 --> 00:26:57.660 things such 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.600 that that little girl 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.040 and Naaman 00:26:59.040 --> 00:27:00.880 were in the same space, 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.960 in the same house. 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.140 A God of grace 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.100 who in the fullness 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.500 of time 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.680 would send his own son 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.140 to turn enemies 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.320 into children of God, 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.560 who would remove 00:27:10.560 --> 00:27:11.580 the stain of sin 00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:13.080 by his blood shed 00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:13.700 for us. 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:15.180 The one who came 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:17.019 as the good news 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.860 of great joy 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:19.539 for all people.